Ephesians 1:18
What does Ephesians 1:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Ephesians 1:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ephesians 1:18 means
Paul asks that “the eyes of your heart” be enlightened. He wants believers to perceive three realities: “the hope of his calling”—the sure future God has summoned them to; “the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints”—the immeasurable value God places on his people, whom he claims as his possession; and the third, introduced next, the greatness of God’s power. This is not mere optimism but Spirit-given sight of what is objectively true in Christ. Such illumination strengthens perseverance, deepens joy, and fosters holy living as believers grasp how rich and secure their standing is.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
KJV
King James Version · 1611The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And that having the eyes of your heart full of light, you may have knowledge of what is the hope of his purpose, what is the wealth of the glory of his heritage in the saints,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, for your knowing what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The eyes of your heart enlightened that you may know what the hope is of his calling and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890being enlightened in the eyes of your heart, so that ye should know what is the hope of his calling, [and] what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Context
Continuing the prayer for spiritual understanding (verse 17), verse 18 lists two of the three objects of knowledge: hope and riches. This prepares for verse 19, which adds the third—God’s power toward believers. The sequence moves from future-oriented hope, to the worth God assigns to his people, to the present power sustaining them. Verses 20–23 will then demonstrate that this power is the same that raised and enthroned Christ. The flow thus connects doctrinal truths to experiential assurance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 1:7
in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
- Luke 24:45
Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures;
- 1 Thessalonians 2:12
to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8
But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
- Ephesians 4:4
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;
- Galatians 5:5
For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.
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